The Vocal Lab Collective

This week, the Vocal Lab celebrates America's 250th birthday! We talk about the huge show in Nashville, the largest fireworks show in the world at D.C., and Taylor Swift's wedding!

This week, Jason shares how the end of one dream, led to the beginning of another, and one that would change his life forever in the last 8 years. Tune in to see how this rhinestone cowboy went from dreaming to doing!

This week, Jason shares how his life was forever changed by Jennifer Hudson, how World Travelers are experiencing the US for the first time because of the World Cup, and how Nashville is changing faster than we'd like... for better or worse.

This week we are joined by independent country artist, singer-songwriter, Brian Fuller. From his early days in Savannah, Georgia riding trains with his grandpa, to the pivotal moment that changed his life when he first moved to Nashville, Brian shares his unique story of how success is more than what you can accomplish for yourself.

This week Jason and Shelby are joined yet again by Sophie Steele, AKA "Big Soph" come back to update us on all that's happened since her last visit- a trip to Spain that was ruined by a mysterious sickness, career challenges that have led to new changes, and how to fix problems in a convoluted industry.

In this week's conversation we are joined by Grant Owen, COO and President of Jefferson Fisher media as well as the Grant Owen Podcast, where he shares what is absolutely necessary to have an impact on social media and what undeniable data points drive that. Is it sheer luck or is there a secret, but unbelievably simple formula?

This week, Shelby shares what it's like to prepare for a tour as she peels back the curtain on what it was like to help a Celebrity artist ready herself as an Elite athlete for her upcoming summer tour.

If you had unlimited money for the summer... how many concerts would you go to? This week, the Vocal Lab goes through the slate for summer tours and decides whether it's a yes? Or No? On all these summer concerts and whether they're worth the money!

This week we are joined by Season 29's one and only Hunter Jordan. From his early beginnings picking up the guitar at age 6 to performing 300 gigs a year to being Adam Levine's first country artist on The Voice; Hunter tells all on his experience on The Voice, and what is next for his journey. Join us to find out!

We made it to 100 episodes!!! This week we celebrate 100 episodes of the vocal lab podcast! We reminisce of some of our favorite moments and also dream towards the next 100 episodes! Thank you for all your support!

Will Ai replace us? The team at the Vocal Lab open up again this can of worms. Is AI getting too good? Can it analyze voices or is it just a positive feedback loop that could lead a singer to damage their voices? Is a human touch invaluable? Find out!

This week we are joined by a very special guest on the Vocal Lab Podcast: Shelby's daughter, Isla! What's it like having Shelby as a mom and vocal coach, trends for teens in 2026, favorite music and what happens when all the kids drive Shelby up a wall!

On this week, Jason and Shelby return to Coachella. From $3,000 resale tickets, $17 dollar coffees, to Caviar and nuggets, the gang discusses the cultural phenomenon that it has become. All of this culminating at one of the most polarizing performances of the night: Justin Bieber. Was it a lazy attempt at a performance or genius in disguise. Tune in to find out!

This week Jason and Shelby continue to "collect" the Glindas! Allie Trimm; the most recent incarnation of Wicked's Glinda joins the Vocal Lab studio during a short stop in Nashville. She shares of her early start in 13: The Musical, her catapult into early adulthood as a teen in the Big Apple, all the way to finding success as one of Broadways great voices. Tune in to find out what her next steps...

In this weeks episode of the Vocal Lab Podcast we talk... music... and feelings... When's the last time that music moved you so deeply you cried? Is it Shelby's "thumpers" playlist or Jason's love for Bad Bunny? Tune in to find out why waxing eloquent about music is both a noun and a verb!

This week co-host Shelby Rollins from Master Vocal Studios peels back the curtain and gives us an exclusive exposé at what it's like being a vocal coach for American Idol. Is it real? Fake? Tune in to hear what actually happened and how a rogue boom mic could've gotten her fired.

This week's episode features Bret Green, AKA Dad Got Bars. From his early days in his high school cafeteria making beats on a table, to being nominated for an Emmy for his work in "The Inspectors," Bret has found a way to connect his passion for storytelling and music as a rapper to be a an honest voice sharing the real experiences women face in their everyday lives.

In this episode of  The Vocal Lab , Jason and Shelby dive into the storm surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s recent town hall with Matthew McConaughey. Did the  Marty Supreme  star cross the line when he claimed "no one cares" about opera and ballet anymore, or was he just voicing a harsh reality about the struggle for cultural relevance? We’re breaking down whether this was a case of H...

We’re bringing this fan-favorite back to the front of the feed! In this special  RE-RELEASE  of  The Vocal Lab Podcast , hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron sit down with hit songwriter Derrick Southerland to celebrate their milestone 50th episode. From his humble beginnings "scrubbing toilets" as a studio intern to opening the door for legends like John Legend and Ryan Tedder whi...

In this episode of The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby tackle the inevitable—the  aging voice . They break down the science of how your instrument changes over time and share must-know longevity tips for young artists who think they’re invincible. But the real star of the show is a piece of "transcendent" wisdom from producer Carlos, who graced the booth with the accidental comedy gold:  "Wh...

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast , Jason and Shelby are joined by Nashville’s own Sooner Routhier , a visionary production and lighting designer whose work has defined the visual identity of modern live music. As the CEO of The Playground , Sooner has earned prestigious accolades including multiple Parnelli Awards and the Live Design Achievement Award . She is the creative force behind som...

Get ready for a masterclass in independent artistry! This week, Jason and Shelby are joined by the powerhouse herself, Jenny Teator . Known for her soulful, "St. Louis-meets-Nashville" sound, Jenny dives deep into the creative journey behind her latest album release. But the conversation doesn’t stop at the studio—we’re exploring how her viral hit, "Rhinestone Rock," became a certified elite line...

From surviving the freeze to the fallout of "Music’s Biggest Night," this week on  The Vocal Lab , Jason and Shelby are diving deep into a Nashville ice storm that changed everything. While Shelby took advantage of the power outage to crush  six books in a single week , Jason was busy hunkering down at a friend’s house, watching the city turn into a literal ice rink. But the real storm?...

In this soul-stirring episode of  The Vocal Lab , hosts  Jason Catron  and  Shelby Rollins  sit down with the legendary  Rita Springer . A pioneer in Christian music, Rita opens up about her humble beginnings and the unwavering conviction to keep her craft "not for sale." She dives deep into the delicate tension between navigating a professional music career and the v...

Is your vocal coach a mentor or just a fan?  Choosing a vocal coach is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your career, yet most singers go in blind. This week on  The Vocal Lab , Jason and Shelby pull back the curtain on the hiring process. They’re sharing the exact 5-question litmus test you should use to separate the world-class mentors from the weekend hobbyists.